Protect Your Choppers While Flexing Your "Guns"

Absolutely love my Brooks Addiction 9!

I write today's entry in hopes that individuals of all ages are looking to amplify their daily activities. With our expanding waistlines, it's imperative that we get movin'...literally. There are a multitude of activities that you can partake in and it all starts with turning away from your couch.

Personally, with a long incriminating family history of women developing osteoporosis, I am doing what I can to keep my bones healthy. Recently, I've got back into running and all it took was a pair of shoes. Start there and you'll see how addictive fresh air becomes.

But as you try new sports, make sure you keep your choppers in mind. Not all sports are dangerous to your teeth, but for the most part any sport that involves contact or collision with an object or person is a suspect for causing injuries to your teeth, jaws, and/or tissues. You know who the usual suspects are: football, basketball, biking, skateboarding, etc..

Beyond wearing a helmet and other protective gear when participating in high impact sports, remember to protect your choppers with a mouthguard. In particular, have a customized mouthguard that will fit perfectly to your upper teeth and will not dislodge as compared to generic mouthguards. These 'guards protect you from broken teeth and jaws, cutting your lips and bruising your cheeks, and even from concussions and neck injuries.

If you should experience an injury to your mouth/gums/lips/jaw, make sure you get medical attention ASAP. If you break or lose a tooth (often times teeth change color when they've been traumatized), contact your dentist immediately. Time is of the essence when it comes to teeth. The sooner that you seek dental care, the better your chances are to getting your tooth/teeth fixed.

So the next time you're in the dental chair, tell your dentist about your new activities and what you've been unto. Ask him/her for great tips on how you can protect your mouth, head, and neck while having fun.

See you on the "out"side,
Dr. Lynda Tran